One day ahead of the United States' first Olympic hockey matchup, goalie Jonathan Quick has earned the starting nod to face Slovakia.

Quick will start over 33-year-old Ryan Miller, who was a standout just four years ago on the team that won silver in Vancouver. Quick will now go up against a talented Slovakia team that includes Marian Hossa, Tomas Tatar, Zdeno Chara and Richard Panik.

Quick, 28, led the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup championship after the 2011-12 season and won the Conn Smythe Trophy. He is originally from Milford, CT and holds a 2.18 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in the NHL this season.

Starting Quick in the first game could signal an overall preference for U.S. head coach Dan Bylsma. Ryan Miller, a member of the Buffalo Sabres, has been inconsistent this year with a 2.74 GAA and 14-22-3 overall record.